ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Various initiatives taken by Government to bring down imports and increase the production of domestic crude oil
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that the various steps/initiatives have been taken by Government to bring down imports and increase the production of domestic crude oil. These, inter-alia, include Discovered Small Field Policy, Reforms in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy for enhancing domestic exploration and production of Oil & Gas 2019, Natural Gas Marketing Reforms 2020, Policy to promote and incentivize enhanced recovery methods for Oil and Gas, Redevelopment of existing matured fields and development of new/marginal fields, Revival of Sick Wells, improving recovery factors through the implementation of Improved Oil Recovery  and Enhanced Oil Recovery  techniques, etc. Government has also promoted wider private sector participation by streamlining approval processes including/through electronic single window mechanism. Further, Government has launched National Biofuel Policy, 2018 to boost availability of biofuels in the country and to increase the usage of alternate fuels like Ethanol, Bio-diesel, and Bio-CNG through ethanol blending, bio-diesel blending and Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation  initiatives respectively.
As per the data maintained by Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the total number of ethanol plants set up during the last two years are 53, out of which 9 are in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Various Research and Development  activities on Green Hydrogen are undertaken by Oil and Gas PSUs  including projects which use Green Hydrogen for fuel cell based mobility. The R&D Centres of OGPSUs have already replaced Grey Hydrogen consumption completely with Green Hydrogen for R&D activities. Further, OGPSUs have formed a Hydrogen Corpus Fund to fund R&D on various facets of Hydrogen including its application as an Automotive Fuel. A pilot project has also been set up to produce Green hydrogen by Oil India Ltd  at Jorhat, Assam.
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Ministry of Textiles
Development of Powerloom Sector in the Country
The Government of India is implementing the Venture Capital Fund for Powerloom and Allied Products and Services , as a component under PowerTex India scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2017. The TEX Fund has a minimum corpus of Rs.35 crores with Government of India’s contribution of Rs.24.50 crores and the Small Industries Development Bank of India  has a minimum contribution of Rs.10.50 crores. SIDBI Venture Capital Limited  is the Investment Manager of the TEX-Fund.
The TEX-Fund is aimed at providing equity investment to micro and small enterprises in the powerloom sector to boost innovation in the industry by creation of brands and generation of intellectual property and enable development of the Powerloom Sector and allied activities. A toll-free helpline 1800222017 has also been launched to provide multiple support services for availing benefits of PowerTex India Scheme. The mobile app i.e. iPowerTex can be downloaded from google play store.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Rajya Sabha today.
UPSC
Recruitment Results Finalized By UPSC in April, 2021
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of April, 2021. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here for full list.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Food Processing Sector as Employment Intensive Industry
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  releases data on various aspect of registered manufacturing sectors, including employment in registered food processing sector through the Annual Survey of Industries. As per the latest Annual Survey of Industries 2019-20, food processing sector contributed 12.22% of total persons engaged in the registered manufacturing sector. The details of employment in food processing sector for last three years, as per Annual Survey of Industries, are as under:
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Year
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Employment 
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2017-18
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19.33
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2018-19
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20.05
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2019-20
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20.32
Source: Annual Survey of Industries 2017-18,2018-19 & 2019-20
In addition, as per the 73rd round of National Sample Survey , 51.11 lakh persons were engaged in unincorporated food processing sector.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries  commissioned a study titled "Study to assess Human Resource and Skill Requirements in Indian Food Processing Sector during 2021-2030” through M/s. Feedback Business Consulting Services Private Limited, Bangalore. The study was mandated to cover 11 sub-sectors of the Food Processing Sector as they are considered the major segments in terms of production, huge scope for increasing processing levels, the requirement of the skilled labour force, etc. The 11 sub-sectors are – Bread and Bakery products, Cold Chain , Dairy Products, Fish and Seafood processing, Fruits & Vegetables Processing, Meat & Poultry Processing, Milling , Beverages , Ready-to-Eat & Ready-to-Cook Products, Soya Processing and Spices. The study has identified that the net expected number of skilled human resource requirement in these 11 sub-sectors of Food Processing during 2021-30 is around 13.4 Lakh.
The programmes for capacity building and skill development for food processing sector are provided through:
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National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management  – at Kundli and Thanjavur- under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana  of MoFPI.
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Capacity Building component under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises  Scheme of MoFPI.
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Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative - the concerned Sector Skill Council- under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana  of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship 
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Ministry of Food Processing Industries Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Old Age Homes in the Country
This Ministry does not directly construct/setup Old age homes. However, under the Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens , financial assistance in the form of Grant-in-Aids is given to the Implementing Agencies for running and maintenance of, inter alia, Senior Citizens Homes etc. During the last three years, the grants-in-aid has been given to 119 new Senior Citizen homes with 4945 beneficiaries across the country under this Scheme.
Norms have been prescribed in the scheme for treatment and care of the residents including their health in Senior Citizen Homes for which grant-in-aid is provided. Under IPSrC, financial assistance is also given for maintenance of Continuous Care Homes for senior citizens afflicted with Alzheimer’s/ Dementia.
The budgetary allocation for IPSrC is Rs. 272.0 crore for the financial 2021-22 and out of which Rs. 27.24 crore has already been released.
This information was given by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius attends iDEXstart-up & innovation showcase event at IIT Delhi
Following his bilateral meeting with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius attended an event of Innovations for Defence Excellence  start-ups at Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi on June 06, 2023. Partner Incubator of iDEX, FITT-IIT Delhi co-hosted the event.
The event included a briefing on iDEX followed by showcasing of game-changing technologies by Indian start-ups on Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, Energy Systems, Smart Drones and Anti-drone systems, Space Propulsion systems and other allied technologies. Additional Secretary & CEO Defence Innovation Organisation  Shri T Natarajan briefed the German Minister of Defence the growth of India’s Defence Innovation Ecosystem through the iDEX scheme and opportunities for collaboration in global emerging technology sectors.
Other issues highlighted include the need to enhance defence-industrial cooperation, technology partnerships, long-term research & development and improving supply chain security. The event also brought into focus the promotion of co-development and co-production in India, including potential areas and projects where Indian and German start-ups can work together.
Ministry of Power
NTPC and Tecnimont sign MOU to explore possibility to develop Green Methanol Production
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- Objective of MOU is to jointly evaluate and explore the possibility to develop commercial scale Green Methanol Production facility at NTPC project in India
- Green Methanol Project involves capturing carbon from NTPC power plants and converting it into a green fuel
NTPC signs MoU with Tecnimont Private Limited
NTPC, India's largest power generation company, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding  with Tecnimont Private Limited, Indian Subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group, Italy. The objective of the MOU is to jointly evaluate and explore the possibility to develop commercial scale Green Methanol Production facility at NTPC project in India.
The Green Methanol Project involves capturing carbon from NTPC power plants and converting it into a green fuel. Green Methanol has a wide range of applications, including serving as a base material for the chemical industry, storing renewable electricity, and even as a transportation fuel. It is also considered as a substitute fuel for maritime fuel applications.
C.K Mondal, Director , NTPC commented that this project along with NTPCs under execution Pilot scale Green Methanol project aligns with NTPC's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, and will significantly contribute to India's energy transition.
Ministry of Railways
Shri Piyush Goyal Flags off Tanakpur-Delhi-Tanakpur Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi Express Special train through Video Conferencing
The train will connect Tanakpur with National Capital & bring socio economic development in the Uttarakhand
Pilgrims visiting Purnagiri temple shall be benefitted with improved connectivity
The Union Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal flagged off Tanakpur-Delhi Jn. Special train through video conferencing today along with Union Education Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' and other dignitaries present at the event site.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon'ble Minister Shri Piyush Goyal said that the introduction of new modern, safe, LHB coach Purnagiri Janshatabdi train, will boost tourism and connectivity in the region. The Minister also informed that electrification of Pilibhit- Delhi route was already complete, Tanakpur- Pilibhit route is also complete, only CRS inspection is awaited, soon the entire route  will be fully electrified. He also talked about various Railway projects currently being executed in the State of Uttarakhand. The budget allocations of Rail Projects have been increased manifold. Uttarakhand is witnessing a new wave of development.
The train will connect Tanakpur with National Capital & bring socio economic development in the region. Pilgrims visiting Purnagiri temple shall be benefitted with improved connectivity.
About the Train:
The Train no. 05325 Tanakpur-Delhi Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi Express Daily Special train shall depart from Tanakpur at 11.25 hrs and shall reach Delhi Jn. at 21.35 hrs.
The Train no. 05326 Delhi Jn.- Tanakpur Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi Express train shall depart from Delhi at 06.10 hrs and shall reach Tanakpur at 16.10 hrs.
This train will have total 12 LHB Coaches which includes 2 AC Chaircar, 08 Chair Car coaches & two Generator coaches. It shall have stoppages at Banbasa, Khatima, Pilibhit, Izzatnagar, Bareilly City, Bareilly Jn, Visharatganj, Aaonla, Karengi, Daftara, Asafpur, Chandausi, Raja Ka Sahaspur, Moradabad, Amroha, Gajraula, Garh Mukteshwar, Simbhauli, Hapur, Pilakhua, Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, Delhi Shahdara enroute in both directions.
Today, this train is being run as “Inaugural Special Train”.
Ministry of Finance
Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement  between India and Japan and provides for India to access 75 billion in US dollars.
Reserve Bank of India and Bank of Japan have completed signing of the Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement  between India and Japan. It may be recalled that the BSA was negotiated between India and Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Tokyo on 29.10.2018. This BSA provides for India to access 75 billion in US dollars whereas the earlier BSA had provided for US $50 billion. The BSA was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10.01.2019.
The agreement for the BSA has become effective from today i.e. 28.02.2019. India can access the agreed amount of USD 75 billion for its domestic currency, for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate level of balance of payments or short-term liquidity. A part of the BSA can be accessed at the discretion of India. India has comfortable level of foreign exchange reserves presently. The BSA provides India flexibility to use these reserves if at any point of time, in its judgment, there is need to use the resources available under BSA.
Government of India welcomes BSA effectiveness and expresses its gratitude to Japan for agreeing to enter into this arrangement. This is in the spirit of strong partnership and carries out its strategic partnership further. This financial cooperation would further enhance the strong economic ties between India and Japan.
Special Service and Features
WALK IN INTERVIEW’ POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
It is proposed to engage Direct Agents for sale of Postal Life Insurance / Rural Postal Life Insurance products. Interested candidates fulfilling the following eligibility conditions may attend ‘walk in interview’ to be held in the O/O Senior Superintendent of Pos, Chennai City Central Division [at No. 2 Sivagnanam Salai , T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017] at 10.00 hours on 26.06.2023 [Monday].
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
a. Qualification: 10 th pass
b. Age: 18 to 50 years
c. Categories: Unemployed / self employed educated youth, Ex life advisors/Ex agents of any insurance company, Ex-servicemen, Aangan wadi workers, Mahila Mandal workers, Retired teachers, Self Help Groups functionaires, etc or any intending person fulfiing above conditions.
d. Desirable: 1. Experience in selling Insurance Products, knowledge of
computers/knowledge of local area. 2. Resident of Chennai City.
e. Candidates doing life insurance business in other insurance companies are not eligible to apply as Direct Agent.
f. Documents: Eligible candidate should bring Original and two Xerox copies of age proof, address proof and educational qualification proof with three recent passport size photo.
Candidates selected after interview has to provide cash Security of Rs.5000/- in the form of National Savings Certificate / Kisan Vikas Patra to be pledged to the President of India as security.
This is not a job offer/ employment in the Post office. Interview is conducted for engaging Direct Agents for marketing/selling Postal Life Insurance products based on IRDA guidelines. Direct Agents so engaged have to procure PLI Policies through marketing.
Commission/Incentive to the Direct Agent will be paid on the basis of his/her procurement of PLI policies.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Use of CCTNS
Use of Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems  and Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System  is regularly reviewed by the Government with the States/ Union Territories. Further, the Government has leveraged the CCTNS and ICJS to launch a series of Smart Policing initiatives for States/ Union Territories.
Against an original target of 14306, the CCTNS has been deployed at 15773 police stations in the country . However, CCTNS software has not been implemented in 383 police stations. Deployment has commenced.
ICJS provides access of CCTNS data to eCourts users and similarly of eCourts data to CCTNS users. However, specific details on use are not maintained centrally.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of India secures release of Five Indian Nationals abducted in Myanmar
Timely intervention by Government of India has ensured release of five abducted Indian nationals, a Member of Myanmar Parliament and four other Myanmar nationals from Arakan Army in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, in the early hours of November 4, 2019.
On November 3, these five Indian nationals, along with a Member of Myanmar Parliament, two local transporters and two speedboat operators were abducted by Arakan Army on way from Paletwa in Chin State to Kyauktaw in Rakhine state in Myanmar. The abducted Indians were currently engaged in building the Kaladan road project in Myanmar.
Unfortunately, one of the Indian national died in custody of Arakan Army due to heart attack. According to information available, he was a chronic diabetes patient. The released Indian nationals, alongwith the dead body of the deceased, have reached Sittwe and will be leaving for Yangon today for onward journey to India.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
NBCFDC & NSFDC Under M/O Social Justice & Empowerment Enters in to MOA with Punjab National Bank
Implementation of Interest subvention Scheme of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India –Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta  Yojana for financial empowerment of economically marginalized OBC/SC SHGs & Individuals got a major boost with signing of Memorandum of Agreements  by National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation  and National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation  with Punjab National Bank, a premier and leading Public Sector Bank.
The scheme is expected to benefit many entrepreneurs and self help groups on a pan India basis. It will benefit OBC/SC SHGs with loans/borrowings up to Rs.4.00 Lakh and OBC/SC individuals with loan/borrowing up to Rs.2.00 Lakh with a quick interest subvention benefit of 5% directly into the standard accounts of borrowing SHGs/beneficiaries.
MoA was signed yesterday by Shri Arun Kumar Sharma, General Manager, on behalf of Punjab National Bank & Smt. Anupama Sood, General Manager  on behalf of NBCFDC & Shri Amit Bhatia, Assistant General Manager on behalf of NSFDC. The MoAs were exchanged in presence of Shri K. Narayan, Managing Director NBCFDC & Chairman cum Managing Director NSFDC.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh meets Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari on J&K road projects
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has met Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways , Nitin Gadkari for allocation of funds to enable timely completion of the proposed Chattergala tunnel which will connect district Kathua with district Doda in Jammu & Kashmir, enroute the new Highway via Basohli-Bani through Chattergalla to touch Bhaderwah and Doda. This is going to be a historic landmark project providing all-weather alternate road connectivity between the two distant regions and reducing the travel time from Doda to Lakhanpur to just around four hours.
Chattergala Project envisages a 6.8 Km long tunnel for which the Feasibility Survey has already been conducted by Border Roads Organisation . The tunnel is likely to take about 4 years for completion after the execution work starts and its construction cost is around Rs. 3,000 crores.
Since the BRO was facing some constraints of funds, Dr Jitendra Singh met Gadkari here and requested for financial support to BRO through Bharatmala or any other appropriate channel from the MoRTH. Gadkari's response was positive and he issued instructions to work out how best this could be done.
Meanwhile, Dr Jitendra Singh has impressed upon the BRO Chief Lt Gen Rajeev Choudhary to expedite the Chattergala project as fast as possible. He said, Chattergala is going to be a revolutionary game changer, particularly for the districts Kathua and Doda. He said, this will not only generate revenue but also job generation.
Moreover, the all-weather road connectivity will bring ease of business, shorten the travel time and also provide a unique opportunity for places like Bani and Bhaderwah to emerge as tourist destinations of national repute, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the demand for the tunnel at Chattergalla had been pending for several years, but somehow not taken up by earlier governments because of their different priorities.
Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency has witnessed unprecedented progress in road and bridge construction in the last over six years, the notable among them being Atal Setu at Basohli, Keediyan Gadyal and Juthana bridges in Kathua, Devika Bridge at Udhampur, new Highway from Khilani-Marmat in Doda to Sudhmahadev and Kaljugar tunnel.
The other ongoing BRO projects in the constituency include construction of road from Bhagwa to Lal-Darman to Masal-Dushnan in district Doda, Chkramore-Maharajpur-Rajbagh-Haria Chak road in district Kathua and upgradation of Phatala to Jakhani road in district Udhampur. Gen Choudhary also gave Dr. Jitendra Singh a brief about a dozen BRO road and bridge projects coming in his Lok Sabha constituency.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
14th National Tribal Youth Exchange Program begins in Mumbai
Mumbai : 23 February 2023
The 14th National Tribal Youth Exchange Program is being organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan , Maharashtra and Goa State, Mumbai from 21st February 2023 to 27th February 2023 at the Sports Complex and International Hostel, Mumbai University. Under the joint aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 200 tribal youth from nine districts of six tribal dominated states of India along with 20 CRPF/NDRF/ITBP/SSB & NYKS escorting officers are participating in the program.
The objective of the program is to provide an opportunity to the tribal youth of the selected states and districts to visit different places to understand the cultural ethos, language and lifestyles of people depicting unity in diversity of our national life. It also aims at exposing the youth to technological and industrial advancements that have taken place in different parts of the country. The focus of the program is on creating awareness regarding education, skill development and employment opportunities.
The inauguration of the program was held on 22nd February 2022 at the hands of Indrani Yadav, Commandant, WS, HQ Mumbai, Rambhai Pal, Senior Social Worker, Dr. Vasanthi Khadiravan, Professor & Head of Physical Education, University of Mumbai and Prakash Kumar Manure, State Director NYKS, Maharashtra – Goa.
In the seven-day program, academic sessions and cultural performances will be held for the participants by subject experts. Apart from this, the tribal youth will get an opportunity to visit the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council Secretariat, Central Hall, Mantralaya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, Gateway of India, Nariman Point, Girgaon Chowpatty and other places of importance in Mumbai.
Participants for the program belong to regions across India such as Narayanpur, Kanker from Chhattisgarh state, Gumla, Giridh, Chhatra, West Singhbhoomi from Jharkhand state, Bhadradi, Kothagudem from Telangana state, Jamui from Bihar and Balaghat from Madhya Pradesh. The artists of these districts will give cultural presentation every day based on the traditional folk art of their glorious region.
During their stay the youth with also interact with the Governor of Maharashtra at the Raj Bhavan. The program will end with a Valedictory Function which is to be held on 27th February 2023 at 11: 00 AM at the Sports Complex, University of Mumbai.